Serena struggles on clay in Paris

05-27-2009 | AFP

The American had to fight to avenge a previous loss to Czech player

Panama Star PARIS. – World number two Serena Williams endured an almighty struggle to win her first claycourt match in 12 months on Tuesday as Roland Garros's brief flirtation with summer came to a chilly end.

Williams, the second seed and 2002 champion, spurned eight match points en route to a hard-fought 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-4 victory over Czech Klara Zakopalova.

It was the American's first claycourt win since the second round here last year and avenged her surprise defeat to the Czech girl in the first round in Marbella in April.

But what looked like a routine win, when she was a set and 5-4 up, turned into a battle of attrition before Williams, the holder of 10 Grand Slam titles, rescued the situation.

"I think I played a very good match and I think Serena will be playing better and better, so it was my best chance to beat her," said a glum Zakopalova.

Jelena Dokic, marked her return to Roland Garros with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, win over Slovenia's Karolina Sprem.